Goliad counselor indicted on misdemeanor charge, felony thrown out

The Goliad Middle School counselor who admitted to suggesting a child video being sexually assaulted was indicted on a misdemeanor charge Friday.

Cheryl Worley, 58, was arrested Nov. 23 on suspicion of felony abandoning or endangering a child and failure to timely report abuse, a Class A misdemeanor, according to previous reports.

A grand jury returned a no bill ruling on the felony charge, said District Attorney Michael Sheppard.

"We are certainly pleased about the outcome of the felony charge (against) Mrs. Worley," Goliad Superintendent Christy Paulsgrove said. "I have a call in with the county attorney regarding the misdemeanor because I want to know what he's proposing."

Worley has been on paid administrative leave since her arrest and remains so, Paulsgrove said.

The case goes to Goliad County attorney Rob Baiamonte, who did not return phone calls Tuesday.

After previous outcries from one of Worley's students, the counselor suggested that, should the incident occur again, the victim record it on the computer. The child brought Worley the recording of the assault, according to a search warrant affidavit filed in the Goliad County district/county clerk's office.

The Texas Rangers assisted with the investigation, which also resulted in the arrest of a 44-year-old Berclair man on suspicion of aggravated sexual assault, continuous sexual abuse of a child and indecency with a child, according to previous reports.